Trying out "Touch Drawing"

Tonight I experimented with a technique called Touch Drawing. Being unsure of the process, and mindful that I like being able to control my artwork, I was skeptical that I'd enjoy myself - but I did.

How does it work? I used water-based oil colors, which were a breeze to clean up. I squeezed a little paint onto a glass surface (you can use any non-porous surface) and brushed it out to a smooth and thin consistency. Then I placed some butcher paper on top and used my fingers, hand, and fingernails to create a pattern. After lifting the drawing and looking at the results, I smoothed the paint with the brush and added more to the design. I did three images like this, and did not have to add any paint to the glass.

I wasn't pleased with the results until I added multiple colors to my design - achieved by rinsing the glass and putting on a new color, and repeating the process of creating a pattern. I kept working on the same three images, adding color and design on whim. I'm not sure that I like the finished products, but I am satisfied with them.

Most interesting to me was that when you use the right amount of paint - very little paint, in fact - the colors do not mix together, despite layering paint upon a wet paint. Rather, the colors show through from one layer to the next.

For those of you looking for the artwork, I will try to post at a later date.

He Shall Be Like a Tree - Tehillim 1:3

This painting will be auctioned this Sunday at the Hillel Academy Annual Dinner in Fairfield, CT. This will be the first painting I've done that will have a price attached, which will be interesting! This is an 18"x 24" oil on canvas, titled "He Shall Be Like a Tree - Tehillim 1:3."

New painting ahead

I am donating a painting to a fundraiser - any ideas for subject matter? Either something generic, or Judaica.

Painting again... yay!

This painting is acrylic on 11" x 14" canvas, titled "My Heart is in the East"... but (sadly), I am in the West. L'Shana Haba'ah B'Yerushalayim!

Reflecting on recent tragedy in India

A Poem

Of endless tears
Rain clouds form
and fall...
and fall...
A deluge of our own pain.

I finally painted something...

Developing pictures of the kids playing outside inspired this painting. I wanted to show the happiness in each child's face, and veer away from the likeness of a portrait by including only the eyes and smile. Having a lot of family time in the summer has forced me to reflect on my parenting style, and how this effects their happiness.

See painting to the right...
"My Children," 11" x 14", Acrylic on canvas.

Altered Books

I've wanted to make an altered book ever since I encountered my first one about a year ago, created by Donna Kaiser, my thesis advisor in the art therapy program at Albertus Magnus College. I decided that I want to find out more about this artform and then make one myself.

There is actually an altered book society (International Society of Altered Book Artists - ISABA) online, which gave me a little more info about altered bookmaking. It seems like you can do just about anything, as long as you start out with a book and use it as a base for an exploratory art project. Some artists cut and paste and paint, others cross out or add words to the text to create their own story. You can do anything - it's up to your imagination.

I think the process of making an altered book must be a freeing experience, since it veers entirely away from the traditional - "destroying" a book, albeit to create something new. It sounds like a wonderful form of sublimation to me. I hope to find out soon!